Private branch exchange system



Dec. 26, 1939. G HARTLEY AL 2,184,523

PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed April 16, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 7Z9- EXTENSION LINE 6/ i 5 [IVS MARKING LEAD I g7 JFM H ZZZ C -Mlif'if INVENTORS. SNEL L B! WK A TTOR/VE V Dec. 26, 1939.

G. c. HARTLEY r-rr AL 2,184,523 PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE-SYSTEM 7 Filed April 16, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 JUNCT/ON CIR cu/ 713/ ins? RS3 L 0 GCHARTLEY /NVEA/7;QOVRS. MSSNELL NSM Dec. 26, 1939.

G. C. HARTLEY ET AL PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed April 16, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 By MS. SNELL A TTOR/VEV Dee. '26, 1939.

G. c HARTLEY El AL PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE SYSTEM 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 16, 1938 TLEV .GCIHAR INVENZOVRSZM MW ATTORNEY Dec. 26, 1939.

G. C. HARTLEY El AL PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed April 16, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 6 ,GCZHARTLEV E 25 -1145. SNELL ATTORNEY Dec. 26, 1939.

Filed April 16, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 7 SPL .GCHARTLEV SNELL A T TORNE V Dec, 26, 1939. Q HARTLEY 5 AL 2,184,523

' PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE SYSTEM Filed April 16. 1938 s sheets-sh'et .8

F IGS CALL BACK C/Rcu/r K DR MC DC PR TR S0 MN M INVENTORS' HAR TLE MS. SNELL A 7' TORNE V 1939. e. c HARTLEY El AL 2,134,523

PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE SYSTEM Fil ed April 16, 1938 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 FIG. 6

F5 LOCAL L/lV/(S .G.C.HAR7'LEV INVENgiRSMS SNELL ATTORNE) Patented Dem 26, 1939 Y sir .TE

TET cm-C 2,184,523 7 PRIVATE BRANCH EXCHANGE SYSTEM George C.-Hartley and Maurice Susan Sn'ell, -Lon- 1 don, England, assigncrs to Western Electric .Company, Incorporated, Newfifork, N. ,zY.. a corporation of New York Application April 16, 1938, Serial No. 202,428 InGreat Britain August 17, 1937 7' Claims. (01. 179-27) I called party and initiates the setting up of aconnection from the calling party to a second 15 called party by an operating procedure similar to that used in setting up the initial connection without any additional call-canceling operation.

A second feature of the invention comprises a semi-automatic telephone or like exchange system comprising attendants selection-controlling equipment so arranged that the operations which may have to be performed by an attendant to break down a connection already set up from a calling party to a first called party and to transfer the'connection to a second called party are I identical with those performed by the attendant to set up an initial connection from a calling party to said second called party.

The invention will be clearlyunde'r'stood from the following description of the invention shown U in the accompanying drawings in which:.

1, 1A, 2, 3, 3A, 4, 5 and 6 arranged in accordance with Fig. '7 show the applicants invention applied to an automatic branch exchange a system in which night service is provided by havin incomingicalls cause the operation of bells or buzzers at different points in the buildings which the exchange serves and having any extension subscriber answer the incoming call by dialing the digit 8;

Figs. 1, 1A and 2 show an automatic branch exchange junction line circuit terminating in a line finder;

.Figs. 3, 3A and t showakey-sending cordless position equipment;

"Fig.5 shows a call-back circuit; an ZFig. 6 shows a local link circuit;

-.Figs. 1, 1A, 2, 3, 3A, 4, 4A, Sand 6 arranged in accordancewithFig. '7 show the applicants in- 5U vention applied to an automatic branch exchange system in which fnight service is provided by having atparticular extension allocated for this service to each junction;

Fig.4A shows the principal changes. required ;.c5 7 fl':.this latter type .of service.

m'lU

key-or press-button strip'- -fil, Fig. 3A, adapted to "by ringing'over a junction to the private automediately to ringing return batteryat thevmain flayPZ' (not shown) in the'ringing and tones may also be sounded. l

The invention willfirst-be'described in general in connectionwiththe-Figs-l, IA, 2'; 3, 4, 4A,5 and 6 and later specifically in connection with the two night service arrangements, using-Fig. 4 in the'j'first instance and Fig. 4A in thesecond H instance. 1

The key sending'equipment comprises a'digit control digit storage relay groups AX-CX, and AY-DYK Contacts of the'sto-rage" relays mark bank ifmtfig. 1, of the junction line finders v-ia cross-connecting frame GCF. If the'number of extension lines is small, a key 'or press-button per I extension line may-be'provided' to mark the junction line-finder banks direct.

lhe attendants set may be provided with a e speak key SKfiFig. 1, p'er'junction; but adoublethrow key ispreferably provided for'each pair of junctions. I

When a call is made from the main exchange matic' branch exchange, relay RB energizes imexchange even during *an initial silent period, earth, chart, RB, at, and positive'junction'wire. Contacts rb-l open the start circuit from the 0"" level and 8 level start leadsdiLS, 8LS of the local links so as to busy the junction to outgoing calls. Ringing current operates relay AC, positive wire QC, at, AC rct; negative wire; Earth via aclybrd, energizes R, which looks on its left-hand winding via 76, c112, and on its righthand winding .via 'rcl, cll back contacts'of a recircuit to earth.

.BR now operates and connectsflicker' ground via FGL, speak key 'SK of the attendants circuit, 14,- back contact of junction test relay JT of the attendantscircuit, to line lamp LL. -A,buzzer $2.40 Contacts brl connect earth from E2, to the 'ringing and tones machinestartlead MSL. Relay PZ is arranged to operate every half minute after the machine has been started to release relayR if the connection has not been completed, and -'if key NSK in Fig. '4 is thrown. v When the attendant throws the speak key, relay CA operates via SK,. lead IX, 5112 in the attendantscircuit earth. Relays S, SD in theattendants circuit operate via 1e'adJX,.SK, cad. The change-overof contacts sd2 rendersjall other junction speakkeys ineffective. CAloCks over its lower winding, c113,. lead VIII,. to contacts .93, sdZ, in the attendants circuit, and. 'CB;operates in parallel with CA. Z energizes via two pairs of SK contacts and 0114.

Ringing is tripped via positive junction lead 011?, lead XVIII contacts of DL, NSK, righthand winding of coil IL, lead XIX, caB, r03, negative junction lead. a

The attendant inquires the wanted number, lead XVIII contacts of DL, NSK, me3, contacts SPXT of splitting key SPLK, attendants telephone set, SPXT, me2, lead XIX.

Let us assume that the wanted number is 22.

. The attendant sets up the number on her keyset 1(). Relay AX only of the storage relay combination AX-CX energizes AX, g4, key 2, s26, k4, nul, sl. AX locks via azvl in series with Y to the same earth. Y energizes and transfers the key leads from relays AX-NU to the second digit storage relay set AY--DY.

It will be noticed that relay Nu, the fourth relay of the first storage set is connected to keys 1, .7, 8, 9, 0, and when operated thereby locks direct to sl, and opens the energizing circuit for Y in series with relays AX, BX, CX, so as to'prevent registration of any one of said digits which are not used as first digits in the private automatic branch exchange. NU tone via lead NUT, nu2, and coil IL, is induced in the attendants receiver.

When a first digit is correctly registered, ST energizes via an. (or M24, or x5), k5, nui, sl.

The first digit having been registered on AX, key 2 is again depressed and AY is operated and locks in series with SZ which also energizes and disconnects the keyset at $25.

Earth via stZ, k3, ql, s24, lead III, 0124, hi, and its interrupter, energizes magnet JFM of the 50-point single motion junction line-finder switch, which hunts for a marked line.

Contacts I5U of the cross-connecting frame CCF in the attendants circuit are connected to the corresponding fifty contacts in the bank of wiper ifm l. The group of ten lines including the wanted party is first marked and relay Q operates when the group is found via std, ncl, 03, am! operated, b322, 0122, contact I of CCF to the first group of lines on JF, a'tmd, 0112 to earth. Operation of qi immediately stops JF and also operates 0 to st2. 0 locks via 02, st2 and changes the connection of Q from the group marking wires to the line-marking wires. It is to be understood that the line-marking wires are multipled over all the CCF groups.

Q releases and JFM reoperates. When the marked line in the selected group is reached Q energizes via std, o3, aya, byZ', 0112, d112, ifmd, cb2 to earth. Slow-to-operate relay K now energizes fully via 0|, ql, k3, SH and locks via 0|, k3, stZ. The opening of 705' causes ST to release slowly and the opening of k4, immediately releases the storage relays AX, AY and relays Y, SZ, Q. K, and O.

Relays CL and RR in series in the junction circuit energize via cb3, lead IV, stl, k2, during deenergization of ST.

RR= locks via f3, M6, 0125, lead VI, kl, and CL locks earth (101, CL, 015, battery.

Since both locking circuits for R are now opened at cb2 and 021, R releases.

If the speak key SK had been returned before the call was properly set up, that is, before R is released, LL would flicker until the speak key was again thrown and the call completed.

Relay H tests the condition of the wanted subscribers line by means of intermittent potential on lead EPL.

If the line is busy; H does not operate and busy flash is connected via BFL, TM, Z915, hB, r4, contact of J T to LL.

If or when the subscriber is free, H operates and locks via k6, cb5, lead VI, st3, and LL gloWS steadily in a circuit via JT contacts, 74, hi 7T5. The wanted party is rung, ringing source, winding *of F, 773, M, y'fm2, wanted partys bell, jfml,

1'22, 77'2, earth.

When the subscriber replies, F operates, and at f3 releases RR which releases F.

When the speak key is returned to normal, S and SD in the attendants circuit release, and release CA and CB so that a conversational circuit is completed; junction positive wire, 101, 00,5, upper windings of D and L, e3, 2i, 11-2, hi2, jfmi, extension loop y'fmZ, hr, M3, 22,24, lower windings of L and D, 103, junction negative. Relay L immediately operates and holds Z and Li. The relays now energized are L, Z, H, CL, BR.

The attendant may find it necessary to rekey and so transfer the connection to another line in the following cases:

(1) If the called party is busy, and the calling party asks for another extension.

(2) If there is no reply to ringing and the calling party asks for another extension.

(3) If conversational connection has been set up but transfer is required, for instance if the call is really for another party.

In all three cases assuming that the speak key is still thrown, relaysCA, CB, S, SD, CL, BR are energized, but the relays RR and H are diiferently operated in these three different conditions.

In condition (1) relay RR only is energized.

In condition (2), relays RR and H are both energized.

In condition (3), relay H alone is energized.

Whichever of these two relays RR and H is operated, operation of one of the digit keys in setting up a new number automatically releases the said relay or relays.

The depression of the digit key energizes one or more storage relays AX, BX, CX followed by relays Y and ST as before. The locking circuit for RR and H are via f3 and W6, and via hS in common via c175, lead VI, back to st3, to ground. Operation of ST therefore opens both locking circuits and RR and/or H release.

Depression of the second digit key operates one or more storage relays AYDY and relay Z. As before, JF hunts for the marked group and line in turn and the new line is tested and if idle,

rung.

When the call is set up the speak key is restored, S, SD, CA, CB release. The attendants circuit is back to normal and available for dealing with another call, while in the exchange line circuit, relays L, Z, H, CL, BR are energized as previously stated.

When the private automatic branch exchange extension hangs up, L releases followed by Z. Clearing alternating current may be applied via lead CLL, L172, 013, YE and YF, 23 and 24 in parallel to the junction leads. When the impedance of the two parallel alternating current circuits becomes unbalanced due to change-over from the conversation feed circuit to the junction line circuit at the main exchange, and relay AC which is bridged across the circuit energizes, change-over of contacts acl releases relay CL but holds BR to prevent R being energized.

Release of CL breaks the clearing circuit at 012, so that AC and BR release. The opening of 2,184,523 contacts 'br3 releases H and the circuit is back to normal.

If the main exchange subscriber holds the connection, AC does not energize, and CL, BR, and H remain operated after L and Z are released. Lamp LL is then continuously lighted via JT contact, 44, h-S, .25. The private automatic branch exchange attendant on observing the lamp comes in and makes inquiries.

If an extension party-enga-ged-on an incoming call from the main exchange wishes to call back to another extension while the main exchange call is held, he depresses a subset button which earths both legs of his line. Differential relay D, Fig. l, energizes and contacts dl cause BC to operate Via lead XXVII to the call-back circuit, Fig. 5, mc4 to battery.

Earth via 25, Fig. 1, m6, Fig. 2, lead XXV, sd5, Fig. 5, prl, lead XXVIII, lower winding of RC, Fig. 2, 108, lead XXIX, left-hand'winding of MC, Fig. 5, to battery, locks RC and energizes MC.

The opening of contacts-ma l, Fig. 5, prevents any other RC relays energizing.

The junction line, Fig. 2, isbridged via 102, to hold the exchange line connection while the extension line is connected via rcl 103, via the leads XXI, XXH to the call back circuit in which the said line is connected via a differential relay DR to a spare extension line circuit SEL; While the subset button is still depressed, relay DR is energized.

When DR is released by release of the subset button, relay DC which was short-circuited via dcl, dr2, now energizes; earth ml, DC, mc3, battery.

The calling extension line loop causes the spare line circuit to seize a local link which connects earth to the third wire of SEL to operate K. The extension party now dials into the local link and completes the call back connection.

The local link is so arranged that after the second digit has been dialed, it puts a resistance earth back on the fourth wire in response to which SD operates. SD locks via sti l, to the third wire of the spare line SEL. SDD now energizes via sd3 and the fourth wire of SEL in series with a relay in the local link which sets up a called party release condition, and locks via sdd2, prl, sd5, 1'51'3, to earth.

If the extension desires to return to the exchange call, he depresses his button again. Relay DR operates and operates relay PR via dcl, drZ. The opening of contacts ml transfers the control of relay RC to front contact drl, so that v as soon as DR releases, RC will release during the slow release of PR. The release of RC will cause the local link'circuit to release, and will restore the exchange linetalking condition via rcl, 103.

If the extension wishes to transfer the call to the second extension he merely replaces his receiver. This will release the L and Z relays of the junction circuit and 25 disconnects earth from XXV thereby releasing relay K. The local link will not release in this condition since it is in the called party release condition. As a consequence of this relay SD will remain operated and when K releases, relay'TR will operate via sdl, kl, mcl

. in parallel with MC. TR connects earth to lead XIHH via trl, prl, sd5, tr3, m2 and to lead XXIV via trZ, thereby forcing the release of the exchange line circuit H relay and operating relay F. At the same time TR connects relay M in parallel with a ZOO-ohm resistance to the fourth wire of the spare line circuit SEL; this is extended via the link to a fourth wiper of the connector switch and split returns to normal.

serves to mark the called extension on the bank a'fmll of the exchange line finder. JF, Fig. 1, hunts for the marked line; JFM, hl, ft2, fl. When the marked line is found relays M and FT, Fig. 1, will operate, and release RC at m2. When M operates, DC releases slowly. During release of DC, M operates MM which via mmZ, dcZ, c'onnects earth on the third wire of SEL when DC releases. MM has a long release time andmaintains this earth for suflicient time to force the release of the guard relay in the local link. SD is released by the local link and the call-back cir- In the exchange line circuit, I-I reoperates via #2, fl and locks. TR, incidentally, disconnects the 8, 9, and 0 level start leads to reserve the multiple exclusively for the use of the call-back circuit during the transfer process.

, If the extension wishes to call the attendant he presses his button twice insuccession. The first operation establishes the beginning of the callback condition and relays DC, MC',-and K are 0perated. The second operation without dialing, i. e., prior to the operation of SD extends earth via d1-2, dcl, sddl, lead XXVI, rc'l to relay R in the exchange line. Flicker ground is connected via FGL, SK, r4, JT contacts to flash lamp LL. At the same time PR is operated and releases the call-back circuit as previously described.

The attendants sets are not permanently attended, and as is usual so-called night-switching is provided. This may be provided in either of two ways according to requirements.

In one arrangement using Fig. 4, throwing of the attendants night-switching key NSK causes buzzers or bells distributed at selected points around the building served by the private automatic branch exchange to be operated when an incoming call arrives. The call can be answered from any extension.

By dialing 8 from an extension to a local link a waiting incoming call is automatically connected to said extension and the local link released.

The. call can then be transferred as above to any desired extension.

With the dial 8 facility wired up in accordance with Fig. 4 and the' night-service key thrown, an incoming call operates RB, AC, R, and ER, but R does not lock up since battery has been removed from lead XIV by NSK. Earth Via r8, lead XIII, NSK, girl, lead BTJL,operates the buzzers. I

On reply by an extension, a local link, Fig. 6,

.is seized and when digit 8 is received by its up and around selector FS, relay G is operated over the vertical bank VB in series with a common relay BS which connects earth to the lead BLS. As indicated on NSK, this lead is taken through normally open contacts of NSK to prevent an incoming call beingtaken out of the attendants hands in this way when the attendant is present.

This earth via 8L8, Fig. 1, Ti, brZ, rbl, (since RB was released by R) operates F. 'JFM is cper. ated via-its interrupter, Iil jt2, fl, and JF hunts for the answering extension. When this is found FT energizes; earth, f2, FT, y'fmii, H1725, gl, battery. Contacts i132, stop JF, and contacts fti short-circuit the high resistance winding of FT to cause a. relay K in the local link which was held via cl to release and cause the local link to restore to normal. Relay H is energized via i162, fl, and locks via 1%, 0115, me.

It will be noticed that the normal ringing trip circuit is through NSK and that this is now open.

Ringing from the mainexchange is nottripped 7 until after H operates. Relay LG now operates to the extension loop, and at Z93 bridges L on the junction line. L energizes followed by Z which cuts the connection through releasing LG. Relays AC, R, release, followed by F. BR holds to [o l and 25 in turn and remains operated.

The alternative night service using Fig. 4A operates as follows. On an incoming call with key NSK thrown, relays RB, AC, R, and BR operate as before and R locks via TS, 0112.

Earth via r5, NS Winding, lead VII, s2, Fig. 3, NSK, NC winding to battery causes NS and NC to energize, NS closes contacts alternative to the speak key make contacts so that CA, Fig. 1, energizes via nsl, lead IX, sdi. Relay ME, Fig. 3A, then operates via 35, lead XI, M3 tocall, and closes a circuit via me! and lead XI for operating S and SD. ME locks via med, s5, while S and SD hold via 55. CA then locks via 00.3, lead VIII, to $3 and $112 in parallel and CB operates in parallel therewith. Z operates via n32, 11.93, 00.4 and prepares a ringing trip circuit via D, L, c3 and at, 2! and 22, and the extension line. ND operates to nc5, and NS locks via n34, lead XII, NSK to 7102.

NC may look in either of two ways according to ringing conditions. When ringing return battery is on the positive wire (as opposed to battery on the negative wire from the junction line circuit) NC locks via M03, ial, NSK, DL contacts, lead VIII, cal, to the positive junction Wire, so that if the call is abandoned, NC immediately releases.

If, however, there is no direct current condition on the junction leads characteristic of ringing, as in the case of a manual main exchange, NC has an alternative locking circuit (not provided in the previous case) via met, ml, and back contact of PZ in the ringing and tones circuit in parallel to back contacts M12, 322. As previously stated, PZ operates: at half-minute intervals while the ringing and tones circuit is in Interrupted earth is now connected via lead EEL, st, 823, 1204, 1/4 to operate AX which looks in series with Y via k4, nu! si. Contacts 114 now connect the same earth to AY which operates and locks in series with. SZ to 5!. Y and Z operate. As before, ST operated via k5, nui, s! when AX energized and closed a circuit for JFM, Fig. 1, via cbd, lead III, 824, ql, k3, st2.

JF is stopped on the night line individual to the calling junction by Q; Q,st4, ncl, lead V, nsfi, contacts individual to the junction, lead II, jumper to night line, y'fm l, 0172. Operation of contacts ql causes and K to energize in turn, since change-over of contacts 03 no longer opens the circuit of Q. Contacts M and k5 release ST, AX, AY, and Y, but SZ is locked via szl, n05.

During release of K, earth via k2, stl, lead IV, 0113, energizes RR and CL and the extension is tested by H. ST, K and 0 release but RR and II when operated lock via cb5, lead VI and first kl and later 813. The extension is rung via F and on reply F releases RR at f3 and is then itself released.

Relay IA operates to the extension loop; battery, IA Winding, me2, SPXT, SPXC, lead XVI, cat, D and L windings, e4, 22, M3, 714, y'fm2, subset loop, fml, n3, M2, 2!, 23, L and D windings, ca5, lead XV, SPXC, SPXT, me3, IA winding, earth.

Contacts ial release NC which releases ND, SZ, and NS (at n02 and ndl), S and SD are released, followed by ME, CA and CB. The conversational connection is cut through and L operates, holding slow-release relay Z. Main exchange ringing is tripped, the connection is completed, and the attendants circuit is completely released.

In the case where NC locks via back contact of PZ, opening of this contact while NC is energized releases NC, and the attendants circuit and junction circuit return to normal. Another burst of ringing from the main exchange will then start another connection.

The attendant is provided with a junction test key JTK, Fig. 3A, operation of which energizes a relay JT controlling contacts associated with each junction speak key SK, Fig. 1. Closure of the JT contacts causes the lamps LL of all busy junctions to light via contacts 211-5, so that the attendant can choose an idle junction for an outgoing call. 01" course, back contacts of BB. could replace front contacts brS and the lamps of idle junctions only lighted.

What is claimed is:

1. In a telephone system, an exchange, a plurality of subscribers lines terminating in said exchange, a line incoming to said exchange, a switch, an attendants equipment, means for establishing a connection from said incoming line to a desired subscribers line including the operation of said switch and responsive to the operation of said attendants equipment, and means for releasing said switch to open the connection between said subscribers line and the incoming line and for reoperating said switch to establish a connection between said incoming line and another subscribers line responsive to a second operation of said attendants equipment.

2. In a telephone system, an exchange, a plurality of subscribers lines terminating in said exchange, a line incoming to said exchange, a switch, an attendants position including a set of keys, means responsive to the operation of said keys for operating said switch and connecting therethrough the incoming line to a corresponding subscribers line, and means thereafter operative in response to the operation of said keys for releasing said switch to release the connection between said subscribers line and the incoming line and for again operating said switch and connect therethrough the incoming line to a corresponding subscribers line.

3. In a telephone system, an exchange, a plurality of subscribers lines terminating in said exchange, a line incoming to said exchange, a switch, an attendants position including a key sending equipment, two relays, means responsive to the operation of said key sending equipment in accordance with a subscribers designation for operating said switch and connecting said incoming line to the corresponding subscribers line including the operation of said relays in diiierent combinations depending on whether the called subscriber is busy, whether he does not answer, or if he has answered, and means thereafter operative in response to the operation of said key sending equipment a second time in accordance with a subscribers designation for releasing said switch to release said connection and for again operating said switch and connect the incoming line to said corresponding subscribers line.

4. In a telephone system, an exchange, a plurality of subscribers lines terminating in said exchange, a line incoming to said exchange, a switch, an attendants equipment, means controlled by a single setting of said attendants equipment for actuating said switch to establish a connection therethrough between said incoming line and any one of said subscribers lines, means thereafter controlled by a single second setting of said attendants equipment for efiacing said first connection through said switch and for reoperating said switch to establish a new connection therethrough between said incoming line and any one of said subscribers lines. l

5. In a telephone system, an exchange, a plurality of subscribers lines terminating in said exchange, a line incoming to said exchange, a switch, an attendants key equipment, means responsive to a single setting of said key equipment for operating said switch to establish a connection therethrough between said incoming line and a corresponding subscribers line, and means thereafter responsive to a second single operation of said key equipment for effacing said first connection through said switch and reoperating said switch to establish therethrough a connection between said incoming line and a corresponding subscribers line.

6. In a telephone system, an exchange, a plurality of subscribers lines terminating in said exchange, a line incoming to said exchange, a switch, an attendants position including a key sending equipment, two relays, means responsive to the operation of said key sending equipment in accordance with a subscribers designation for operatingsaid switch and connecting therethrough said incoming line to the corresponding subscribers line including the operation of one of said relays in case the called subscribers line is busy, the operation of both of said relays if the called subscriber'does not answer and the operation of the other of said relays if the called subscriber has answered the, call, and means thereafter operative in response to the operation of said key sending equipment a second time in accordance with a subscribers designation for releasing said first connection and for again operating said switch and connecting the incoming line through said switch to said corresponding subscribers line.

'7. In a telephone system, an exchange, a plu-" rality of subscribers lines terminating in said exchange, a line incoming to said exchange, a switch, an attendants position including a key sending equipment, two relays, means responsive to the operation of said key sending equipment in accordance with a subscribers designation for operating said switch and connecting therethrough said incoming line to the corresponding subscribers line including the operation of one of said relays in case the called subscribers line is busy, the operation of both of said'relays if the called subscriber does not answer and the operation of the other of said relays if I the called subscriber has answered the call, and means thereafter operative in response to the operation of said key sending equipment a second time in accordance with a subscribers designation for releasing the relay or relays operated during the establishing of said first-mentioned connection to release it and for again operating said switch and connecting the incoming line to said second corresponding subscribers line. 1

GEORGE C. HARTLEY. M. SUSAN -SN'ELL.. 

